Unhooking mat

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An unhooking mat is a softly padded mat with foam or polystyrene , which is used to free a caught fish from the hook without risk of injury and then release it again. The unhooking mat is made of a water-repellent material that does not damage the fish's protective layer of mucus. Before placing a fish on the mat, it is essential to moisten it.

A suitable size for carp fishing is approximately 130 × 75 × 5 cm.

The use of unhooking mats is particularly widespread among specialized carp anglers, but unhooking mats should also be used when fishing for predatory fish . For example, a pike has to lie on an unhooking mat so that it does not get injured because it can develop unimagined energy on land - especially if it is caught in late summer or autumn.

In order to avoid damaging the mucous membrane, fish may only be touched with moistened hands, except with a net and a fishing mat. Never use a damp towel or the like.

Improper treatment of the fish leads to mucosal injuries, which promote both fungal attack and infectious diseases.